Corynebacterium C.Xerosis Symptoms

What is Xerosis?

Xerosis is the medical term for dry skin. The word comes from ancient Greek, divisible as xero (dry) and osis (condition). In xerosis old and dead cells normally drop off or are removed easily, but dry skin cells cling to the healthier cells and accumulate.

Xerosis can affect any area of the skin, although the more vulnerable areas are the face, hands, feet, legs (shins), abdomen (along the sides), genitals, and arm-pits.

Treatment of Xerosis

Alpha hydroxyacid lotions work very well for treating and preventing dry skin. Neostrata 15 AHA Body/Face Lotion is a very effective treatment when applied to moist skin after bathing. If you like to swim during the winter months, you should not use soap when getting out of the pool. When you have finished swimming, rinse off the chlorine with cool to warm water.

Soap irritates and dries the skin, soap should not be used on your xerotic skin. When bathing limit the use of soap to your face, armpits, genital area, and feet. Use Cetaphil soap, Oil of Olay, Dove or Basis. Oils can be added to bath water, but they are not as effective as emollient creams. Bathing for long periods or bathing more often than once a day can be detrimental to treatment, even though it may appear to give relief. Do not use soap; you will get clean by soaking in the oil-water combination. Do not take more than one bath or shower a day. Use lukewarm water, not hot. Hot water dries out the skin.

Creams and lotions that contain keratolytic agents, such as urea, salicylate, lactic acid, vitamin A, and propylene glycols are also available. These lotions are not as hydrolizing as emollients.

Diet and Xerosis

Antioxidants , such as Vitamins C and E, can help to repair skin exposed to pollution and UV rays. Alpha Hydroxy Acids help skin cells to exfoliate regularly, they also treat some forms of Ichthyosis; however, they may irritate the skin. It is wise to consult a doctor before using these.